Give Us Time provides accommodation to military families so they can have a little time away and reconnect. However, before the families go away there is a need to pack, and packing can be the most stressful step while preparing for the holidays away, so here are 5 tips on how to effectively pack:
- Knowing the place and the weather
The first tip might sound a little bit obvious but it is often ignored by many. The fun of holidays is the not planning part, but knowing a little bit about the place you are going to can be an amazing help when it comes to packing.
Why? Well, knowing the activities that are available to you will allow you to not pack things you don’t need and therefore overpacking and the same goes with the weather, doing a little research on weather it will be sunny or not will help you know what items you should take with you on your trip.
- Make a list
Airlines often have limitations when it comes to the size, weight and even the amount of luggage you can take with you. And if you’re driving somewhere a car also is limited so making a list is the most efficient way for you to guarantee that you are not leaving behind what’s actually important.
An extra tip is: do research on the airline limitations, don’t just assume it will work a certain way. Airlines tend to change their limitations often and you don’t want to be surprised at the airport and need to pay for their fees.
- Pack by outfit
Yes, you read that right. Pack by outfit. Separate all the clothes you wish to take with you and organise them by outfits, this will make sure that you are packing exactly what you need and not just occupying space in your bag with clothes you won’t wear.
- Roll, don’t fold
If you haven’t watched or read the KonMari method and don’t know how to efficiently fold your clothes, here is a great one for when you actually (and finally!) start putting your clothes in the bag: roll, don’t fold. Rolling your clothes will make it for you to have more space in your bag than what you would have had if you fold them.
Extra tip: if rolling wasn’t enough for you go on a quick run to the store and get a vacuum bag, these can be a life saver. Vacuum bags can fit a good amount of clothes inside and because they get so smaller after you take out the air, you might be able to add a few extra necessary things in the bag.
- How many shoes do you actually need?
Footwear takes a lot of space, so the last tip is: look at all your shoes and choose those who you will absolutely need and pack the least amount you possible can because, honestly, how many shoes do you actually need?
